v. trans. and intr. To be commander-in-chief (of).
1759. Franklin, Ess., Wks. 1840, III. 290. All to be commanded in chief by a general officer of rank.
1782. Ld. Percy, in G. Rose, Diaries (1860), I. 54. An intention of sending Lord Cornwallis out to Command-in-Chief in India. Ibid., I. 55. As fit to Command-in-Chief as I am to be Prime Minister.
Hence Officer, etc. Commanding-in-chief.
1859. Lang, Wand. India, 394. This sentence was … approved by the General Commanding-in-Chief.
1886. Whitaker’s Almanack, 82. Duke of Cambridge, Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. Ibid., 158. Department of the Officer Commanding-in-chief.
